25 things that are only normal in Tampa Bay
By CL Staff on Tue, Mar 1, 2022 at 11:51 am
Tampa Bay is more than just a clump of peninsula towns along the Gulf of Mexico, it's also home to our many quirks and eccentricities, and really that's what makes this region so unique. So, while some of these things and sayings might be odd to outsiders, they're also what make Tampa Bay, well, Tampa Bay.
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Screengrab via Justin Whaley/YouTube
Scalloping season is a legitimate holiday
Up north they have deer season, down here we take our kids out of school to hunt for clams.
Screen grab via WTSP
Knowingly overpaying for a house in a flood zone
"Yeah, kayaking to my car is bad but the neighborhood is fantastic."
Photo by Colin Wolf
Local lawyers comparing the size of their, err, law firms
Clearly they're not compensating for anything whatsoever.
Photo via MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre/Facebook
Loving, and also hating MidFlorida Credit Amphitheatre
Come from the great show, stay for the never ending traffic line on the way out.
Photo via Adobe Images
Constantly pointing out the differences between the Gulf, the Bay and ocean
That's not the ocean, it's Hillsborough Bay, you dunce.
Photo by Dave Decker
Celebrating a fake pirate
Jose Gaspar is real.... in our hearts.
Photo via TPA/Facebook
Legitimately loving our airport
And, also hating on Orlando's airport.
Photo via Adobe
Arguing about Cuban sandwich ingredients
Lettuce and tomato have no place on a true Cuban, but salami does.
Photo via Gold and Diamond Source/Facebook
Knowing every local commercial
"Oh no Julie, not again."
Photo via Adobe Images
Knowing exactly where to park at the beach and never telling anyone about it
Parking on Clearwater Beach? Never heard of it.
Photo via Brocato's Sandwich Shop/Facebook
Loving deviled crab
Crab meat just tastes better when it's shaped like a little football.
Photo via Publix/Facebook
Being loyal to a very specific Publix
I just know where everything is, OK?"
Photo by Dave Decker
Boat parades
Actually, we're pretty much down for any excuse to get a bunch of boats together.
Photo via ChanningTatum/Instagram
Knowing every celebrity from here, and where they went to high school
Channing "Magic Mike" Tatum was part of Tampa Catholic class of 1998.
Photo via Google Streets
Never letting anyone merge, ever
Sorry, I can't let you in, pal. You're just going to have to drive into that ditch and try again."
cityofstpete/Flickr
Universally hating Stu Sternberg
This is actually the most normal thing in Tampa Bay.
Photo via Adobe Images
There can be a downpour on one side of the Bay and perfect beach day on the other
You're a fool if you don't have every single Tampa Bay city listed on your weather app.
Photo via Busch Gardens
Defending Busch Gardens at all costs
And another thing, Adventure Island is a day well spent, you uppity Disney snobs.
Michael M. Sinclair
Having a story about a guy licking your shoe in Ybor City
He's actually really nice.
Photo via Google Maps
Knowing the phrase “2001: Space Oddity” can also mean boobs
Both are classics.
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